This study examined the career development of seven former Southeastern Conference (SEC) student-athletes who were awarded membership to the SEC Community Service team through their contributions both with their teams and individually. The NCAA Division-I student-athlete population is a unique subset of college students that face hindrances through time restraints but also have designated sources aimed to enhance their academic and vocational development, with the latter usually assigned to full-time Life Skills administrators. Through a series of phone interviews focused on reflective collegiate community service and career development, several themes emerged. For collegiate community service the most common themes were: Service Settings, Current Service, and Time Restraints. For career development, the major themes that emerged from the interviews were: Working with Diverse Groups, Scholarship and Admittance into Graduate Programs, and Career Choice/Personal Values.
In Implementing Student-Athlete Programming, scholar-practitioners provide an approachable and comprehensive overview of how to design, implement, and sustain best practices in the growing area of student-athlete development. Exploring research approaches and critical frames for thinking about student-athlete programming while covering topics such as the current context, challenges, programmatic approaches to support, and trends for the future, this resource also highlights programs that are effective in supporting students to success. This book provides higher education practitioners with the tools they need to effectively work with student-athletes to not only transition to college, but to develop meaningful personal, social, career, and leadership development experiences as they prepare for the transition to life after sport.
Institutions of higher learning have contributed to their communities for many years. Universities were founded on the strong principles of service and have continued to embrace that commitment. Athletics Departments at the Division I level are required by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to develop community service programs for student-athletes to give back to the community while in college. The purpose of this study was to determine (1) what motivates student-athletes to participate in community service in college, (2) what values are associated with student-athletes, and (3) what is the leadership role of the Athletics Department in the student-athletes' willingness to participate in community service. Six motivation factors were identified during the analysis of the data: motivation by asking, motivation by social responsibility, motivation by being required, motivation to volunteer with intrinsic reward, motivation for career experience, and motivation through participation in a group/organization. These motivation factors were used as dependent variables and statistically significant relationships occurred when comparing socio-economic status, number of years of church service, and participation in co-curricular service. Furthermore, three value factors were identified: value of helping others, value of personal status, and values of family and friends. The value factors were used as independent variables and statistically significant relations occurred when comparing gender, father and mother volunteering, socio-economic status, number of years of church service, mandated service prior to college, service participation in college, extra-curricular service in college, co-curricular service in college and Dean mandated service in college. In addition, the role of the Athletics Departments was compared to other community service opportunities, for example, service-learning, co-curricular service, extra-curricular service, and mandated service. The Chalk Community Service Model (2007) was also used to illustrate various types of community service and to define such service clearly. Student-athletes and staff members were interviewed and several themes were identified such as the motivation to help others, the student-athletes' value of personal status, the Athletics Department's influence on their community service participation, mandatory community service, being a role model, and thanking the community were all statements made during interviews.
In Implementing Student-Athlete Programming, scholar-practitioners provide an approachable and comprehensive overview of how to design, implement, and sustain best practices in the growing area of student-athlete development. Exploring research approaches and critical frames for thinking about student-athlete programming while covering topics such as the current context, challenges, programmatic approaches to support, and trends for the future, this resource also highlights programs that are effective in supporting students to success. This book provides higher education practitioners with the tools they need to effectively work with student-athletes to not only transition to college, but to develop meaningful personal, social, career, and leadership development experiences as they prepare for the transition to life after sport.
Abstract: Division I intercollegiate student-athletes represent a unique population on college campuses due to the demands of being both a student and an athlete. This qualitative study explored how nine student-athletes at a large, public institution college experiences influenced their career decision-making processes. Past literature on student-athletes has focused on academic challenges, the Jock Stereotype, minimal campus engagement, and the lack of ability to make realistic career decisions. This study suggests that student-athletes are aware of the importance to prepare for their lives beyond their intercollegiate careers. From the shared stories of participant student-athletes, five themes emerged, (a) college choice process, (b) academics, (c) campus engagement (d) career evolution, and (e) awareness of sacrifices and advantages. Participant student-athletes stories emphasized the importance of building stronger relationships on campus. The results also demonstrated the need to implement stronger career development services while they navigate the complexities of their dual roles. Policy and practice implications are discussed.
The Career Game Plan is a program designed to prepare student-athletes to compete and win on their next playing field - the rapidly changing and complex world of work. The Career Game Plan exposes athletes to the many skills required to enter the workforce. Each chapter includes quotes from former athletes, and statistics highlighting the career development experiences of student-athletes. This book teaches athletes how to navigate the career development process by guiding them through a systematic curriculum that exposes them to the skills needed to be successful in today's competitive labor market. The Career Game Plan helps athletes explore the job market, and gives them an awareness of their unique personality traits, values and career interests that will inform their career decisions. The activities and exercises included in this book will provide students-athletes with the foundation they need to tackle the career development process and find meaningful work.
Making the Connection: Data-Informed Practices in Academic Support Centers for College Athletes is practical and ideal for those who seek to use research to inform their individual and organizational practices. This volume is primarily intended for upper-level undergraduate and graduate students, though scholars, researchers, teachers, practitioners, coaches, athletics administrators, and advocates of intercollegiate athletics will also find it useful. It comprises a series of chapters that cover a wide range of evidence-based approaches designed to enhance the practices of those who work closely with college athletes. Given the breadth of the field overall, this single volume is not exhaustive, but the current concerns, challenges, and themes of relevance to higher education researchers, practitioners, and others are well addressed. The intent of the text is to spark conversation about how college and university constituents can reframe their thinking about the importance of innovative research to careful, informed practice. Likewise, the contributors hope that it will inspire greater awareness and action among practitioners, as well as advance scholarship in the area of athletics. Each chapter includes current research, and in some cases theoretical perspectives, which should assist practitioners enhance the well-being of college athletes. Each chapter also offers guided discussion questions that are ideal for use as the basis of further conversation in the classroom setting. Adopters of this text will benefit from leading voices in the field who delve into complex issues, shedding new light and presenting unique opportunities for understanding a diversity of perspectives on evidence-based practices in support centers for athletes. In all, this volume provides a rich portrait of data-driven practices designed to assist practitioners and others who work closely with college athletes, and lays the groundwork for an ambitious and long overdue agenda to further develop innovative research that informs the practices of athletics stakeholders and improves the quality of experiences for college athletes.
This issue provides critical information on the trends that are affecting athletic programs - and presents practical strategies and insights for ensuring a positive college experience for all student athletes. The authors explore a full range of important issues, including the ongoing impact of Title IX, the integration of student athletes into on-campus residence halls, the college experience for minority athletes, and the expansion of opportunities for women athletes. They present current research in psychosocial and cognitive developmental theories and provide models of successful enrollment and student services programs for assisting student athletes during their college career and beyond. The authors also review the evolution of college sports, including the relevant terms and definitions of this field, and examine the personal and environmental factors that shape a student athlete's college experience. As a training resource for student services professionals, this volume is also ideal for use in the classroom.This is the 93rd issue of the Jossey-Bass series New Directions for Student Services.
Sport Social Work: Promoting the Functioning and Well-being of College and Professional Athletes provides pre-service and practicing social workers with a wide-ranging review of sport social work. The text helps social workers with an interest in athletics learn how to effectively promote the safety and well-being of athletes, advocate for athlete rights, and ensure athletes receive the recognition and help needed to become strong global leaders. The text illustrates how, despite popular assumption, college- and professional-level athletes represent a vulnerable population, often at risk of economic, academic, and social exploitation, as well as psychosocial challenges including depression and anxiety, suicidal ideation, substance abuse, eating disorders, high levels of stress, and more. Readers learn how to raise awareness for the particular needs of athletes, how athletic competition influences an athlete across their lifespan, how the strengths of athletes can help promote safety and well-being, and how to provide athletes a voice to de-stigmatize mental health risks.
